Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The "Caring Van", an affiliate of the Caring Program for Children, will be at the "Stand for Children Day" on June 6, 2003 at the Cherokee Nation Courthouse Square from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (noon).

The Caring Van provides vaccines required by Oklahoma state law for public school enrollment and childcare attendance free of charge. To be eligible for the free immunizations, a parent or legal guardian must accompany each child and have a copy of the child’s most recent shot record.

According to Laurie Hand, director of the Cherokee Nation Child Care and Development Center, an estimated one out of every four Oklahoma children under the age of two is not fully immunized.

"On-time immunization is the single, most effective way to protect children from life threatening diseases", Hand said. "We’re happy that we can offer this free service in a setting where children will be outside playing games and having a good time rather than in a doctor’s office. We hope this will help take away some of the fear children usually experience when going to the doctor."

For more information, please contact Kim Phillips by calling 918-458-7614 (ext.233).

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org